Police Seize £18m of Fake Football Shirts During World Cup

Counterfeit football shirts valued at more than £18 million were seized by UK authorities during the World Cup, prompting a safety warning from the Fire Service. The operation, carried out by trading standards officers in collaboration with police forces, targeted illegal merchandise that had entered the market in the run‑up to the tournament, with officials noting the scale of the counterfeit trade and its potential hazards.

The Fire Service warned that the shirts could pose a fire risk to wearers, as they are often produced from low‑quality, highly flammable materials and lack the safety testing required for legitimate apparel. By removing the counterfeit items, officials aim to protect public safety and deter the distribution of substandard goods, underscoring continued vigilance over illicit merchandise during major sporting events.